#USA #New York #American National Standards #Hydrogen Standards #ANSI Initiative

ANSI's Hydrogen Standards Coordination Initiative

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has officially launched its Hydrogen Standards Coordination Initiative, aimed at improving the development and awareness of safety and technical standards throughout the entire hydrogen value chain. This initiative marks a significant step forward in harnessing hydrogen's potential as a clean energy source, addressing its production, storage, transportation, carbon capture, utilization, and other crucial infrastructures.

Importance of Hydrogen Standards

Hydrogen plays a pivotal role in various industries, including petroleum refining, fertilizer and chemical production, and metal processing. As the energy sector evolves, hydrogen emerges as a promising solution for cleaner transport and power systems via fuel cells. Moreover, it has the potential to serve as a large-scale energy storage medium, enabling excess renewable electricity to be harnessed, stored, and utilized during peak demand periods. To ensure the effective and safe scaling of hydrogen technologies across diverse applications, the establishment of rigorous standards is essential.

Phase I of the Initiative: Awareness and Engagement

The first phase of the initiative focuses on raising awareness through two primary deliverables:

1. Hydrogen Standards Landscape: This comprehensive database will catalog existing hydrogen-related standards, ongoing activities, supporting organizations, and associated metadata. Stakeholder input will play a crucial role in compiling this resource.
2. Educational Standards Webinars: A series of informational webinars will be held, featuring insights from standards and code developers. These sessions will also foster opportunities for dialogue among stakeholders.

Seeking Industry Input

In order to construct a well-rounded hydrogen standards landscape, ANSI is inviting industry input through a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI aims to gather details regarding published consensus standards, ongoing standards activities, and relevant guidance documents. Organizations involved in standards development and others are encouraged to fill out ANSI’s RFI spreadsheet and submit it by the designated deadline, March 6, 2026.

Webinar Opportunities

ANSI will host two educational webinars on March 16 and March 31, which will include presentations from various standards and code developers. Participants will have the chance to engage in discussions and ask questions, making this an interactive learning experience. Those interested in attending can register to secure their place.

Advancing to Phase II

The second phase of the hydrogen standards initiative is set to launch in Spring 2026. It will focus on conducting a technical workshop that addresses pre-standardization research, conformity assessment requirements, and considerations for a potential regulatory framework. A comprehensive executive report will also summarize key challenges, identify gaps in existing standards, and provide recommendations for advancing hydrogen standardization.

Dr. Laurie E. Locascio, ANSI's president and CEO, emphasized the importance of robust standardization, stating, “As hydrogen emerges as a cornerstone of America’s clean energy future, robust standardization is essential for safety, interoperability, and commercial viability.”

Conclusion

The successful implementation of this initiative relies on participation from standards developers, innovators, and government entities to leverage their expertise in shaping the industry's future. The contributions from sponsors such as ASTM International, Compressed Gas Association (CGA), and CSA Group have been instrumental in making this initiative achievable. By prioritizing hydrogen standards, ANSI is paving the way toward a sustainable and cleaner energy future, ensuring that the full potential of hydrogen as a critical resource is realized.